There's no changing who faces who in the last month, and some contenders could have it easy. Whose schedule could alter the playoff picture?

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The reigning champion Astros -- the current AL West leaders -- rewarded Hinch with a deal that extends his run in the dugout through the 2022 season. His contract had been set to expire after this year with a club option for 2019.

"I wouldn't be here and I certainly wouldn't be getting this opportunity if it wasn't for you," Hinch said. "This game is about players it will always be about players and to be your manager is by far the best job I've ever had in baseball."

Hinch, 44, guided Houston to its first crown last season. He took over in 2015 and has led the Astros to a regular-season record of 353-266 and two playoff appearances.

"To be the manager of the Houston Astros means the world to me and it has since the day Jeff and Jim hired me to be here," Hinch said, referring to Luhnow and Astros owner Jim Crane. "That goes to the business ops people, baseball ops people, the people behind the scenes, the clubhouse personnel, the training staff and ultimately the players I am fortunate enough to lead."

"Who wouldn't sign up to be the manager of the Houston Astros?" he said.

The Astros led the AL West by 2½ games over Oakland going into Thursday night's game against the Angels.

"I'm not going to let these two down," Hinch said of Luhnow and Crane.